CVE-2012-1370 in AnyConnect Secure Mobility Client
Summary
by MITRE
Cisco AnyConnect Secure Mobility Client 3.0 before 3.0.08057 allows remote authenticated users to cause a denial of service (vpnagentd process crash) via a crafted packet, aka Bug ID CSCty01670.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 04/15/2017
The Cisco AnyConnect Secure Mobility Client represents a critical component in enterprise network security infrastructure, providing remote access capabilities for organizations worldwide. This vulnerability affects version 3.0 before 3.0.08057 of the client software, specifically targeting the vpnagentd process that manages the core connectivity functions. The flaw manifests as a denial of service condition that can be triggered by authenticated remote attackers who craft malicious packets designed to exploit a buffer handling weakness within the client's processing logic. The vulnerability operates at the network protocol level where the client fails to properly validate incoming packet structures, leading to a process crash that terminates the vpnagentd service and disrupts user connectivity.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from insufficient input validation within the AnyConnect client's packet processing routines. When the vpnagentd process receives a specially crafted packet containing malformed data structures, it attempts to parse and handle the information without adequate boundary checks or sanitization measures. This parsing failure results in memory corruption that ultimately causes the process to terminate unexpectedly. The vulnerability is classified as a buffer overflow condition that can be exploited through network traffic manipulation, making it particularly dangerous in environments where remote users frequently connect to corporate networks. The issue falls under the CWE-121 category of stack-based buffer overflow, where the malicious packet payload exceeds the allocated buffer space and overwrites adjacent memory locations.
From an operational perspective, this vulnerability creates significant disruption for organizations relying on Cisco AnyConnect for remote access. The denial of service condition affects individual user sessions rather than entire network infrastructure, but the impact can be substantial when multiple users experience simultaneous connectivity failures. Network administrators must contend with increased help desk calls, reduced productivity, and potential security implications when users cannot access critical business applications. The authenticated nature of the attack means that the threat actor must already possess valid credentials, but this requirement does not significantly mitigate the risk given that credential compromise can occur through various attack vectors including phishing, credential theft, or social engineering techniques. The vulnerability demonstrates the importance of maintaining up-to-date security patches and implementing proper network segmentation to limit the attack surface.
Organizations should implement immediate mitigations including applying the vendor-provided security patches that address the buffer overflow condition in the vpnagentd process. The Cisco security advisory recommends upgrading to AnyConnect Secure Mobility Client version 3.0.08057 or later, which includes enhanced input validation and memory management protections. Network monitoring solutions should be configured to detect anomalous packet patterns that might indicate exploitation attempts, particularly focusing on unusual traffic flows to and from VPN endpoints. Access controls should be reviewed to ensure that only authorized users can establish VPN connections, and multi-factor authentication should be implemented where possible. Additionally, network administrators should consider implementing intrusion detection systems that can identify and alert on potential exploitation attempts targeting this specific vulnerability. The ATT&CK framework categorizes this vulnerability under the T1071.004 technique for application layer protocol usage, specifically targeting secure remote access protocols that can be leveraged for privilege escalation or lateral movement within compromised networks.